Faculty honored at Academic Affairs Awards and Recognition Ceremony

Faculty and staff members from the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, and Saint John's University, Collegeville, were honored at the Academic Affairs Awards and Recognition Ceremony May 10 at the Alumni Lounge, SJU.

In addition to recognition for years of service, promotions, contributions as department chairs and leaders, the following awards were presented:

S. Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award

Stephen Stelzner, professor of psychology

S. Mary, a noted biologist, served students at CSB and SJU for more than 35 years with intelligence, dedication and affection. The difference S. Mary made in her lifetime of teaching at CSB is celebrated through the recognition each year of a faculty member who represents the best teaching and learning at CSB and SJU. S. Mary served as president of CSB from 1963-68. This award has been presented yearly since 1995.

Stelzner, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1986, brings creativity to his teaching and reminds us through his passionate teaching that experience can deepen understanding of any subject.

Robert L. Spaeth Teacher of Distinction Award

J. Scott Johnson, professor of political science

This award is named in honor of Spaeth, who served as dean at SJU for nine years in addition to service as a professor of liberal studies from 1979 until his death in 1994. Each year, Spaeth's commitment to excellent teaching is remembered by honoring a faculty member who brings a special passion and mastery to the classroom and the learning community. This award has been presented yearly since 1995.

Johnson, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1992, makes sure to engage students not only in the classroom but in his office, the hallways or the playing fields. He remembers that intellectual life exists and can be nurtured wherever students live, work or play. He is also noted for his work mentoring his students after they graduate.

Linda Mealey Teacher-Scholar Award

Richard Wielkiewicz, professor of psychology

The Linda Mealey Teacher-Scholar Award is given annually to a faculty member who exemplifies demonstrated excellence in scholarship as well as teaching, conducts student/faculty collaborative research or creative work and excels in the mentoring of students. In recognition of the late Linda Mealey's contributions to the CSB and SJU community, this award is named in honor of Mealey, who received the award in 2002. The award, which was established as the Teacher-Scholar Award in 2000, was renamed for Mealey in 2004.

Wielkiewicz, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1988, helps students see the connection between research and learning, and between scholarship and life. In his teaching - and his supervision of honors' theses - Wielkiewicz demonstrates his own curiosity and intellectual commitments.

S. Linda Kulzer Gender Educator Award

This award recognizes a member of the CSB and SJU faculty whose work has been especially important to gender education development. S. Linda, CSB's Vice President for Academic Affairs from 1977-85 and a professor emerita of education, was a pioneer in the colleges' earliest efforts to integrate gender into the curriculum.

Bolaños, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1994, was honored for her work with the Gender and Women's Studies (now Gender Studies) program. In 2009, when she became director of the program, there were 16 majors and minors. Today, there are 45 majors and minors. Bolaños reached out to faculty in fine arts, natural sciences and professional programs to create new classes to serve students. And, she introduced a May term study abroad experience in Ecuador for majors where they can engage in service and experiential learning in the context of their Gender Studies coursework.

Tom Creed Award for Effective Electronic Pedagogy

Anna McKenna, associate professor of chemistry

This award is given for effective electronic pedagogy and is named in honor of Tom Creed, the late professor of psychology at CSB and SJU and founder and first director of the Learning Enhancement Service.

McKenna, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1983, was honored for her development of the Moodle Chem Tutor. The Moodle Chem Tutor is a part of a large curriculum revision project that changes how the chemistry department teaches its introductory chemistry sequence. The Chem Tutor provides challenge questions augmented with an online tutoring facility. The content of the Moodle Chem Tutor expands on the material offered in the typical college chemistry textbook, providing students with the background required for 21st century chemistry.